The websites of several other participating retailers, including Myer and Toys 'R' Us also failed during the opening hours of the sale.

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The widespread crash of the online mega-sale which was touted as Australia's equivalent to America's hugely popular Cyber Monday and an opportunity for local retailer's to "fight back" against international online competition was described as an "embarrassment for Australian retailers".

Even Myer boss Bernie Brookes admitted the meltdown "highlighted that Australian retailers have a lot to learn about online."

"I think there's been plenty on record saying that it exceeded our wildest expectations and it certainly did. We had no idea when we started what a hot story it was," he said.

"Our estimates [for traffic] in the space of a week turned from 200,000 to over a million and we were certainly geared up to host that million. But we just had no idea on that last day that we'd have nearly 2 million visitors trying to access the site all at once."

Obviously we learnt a harsh lesson and we've spent a lot of time since then talking with key partners and some of the best providers in the industry about restructuring to make sure this is sustainable.

He said the IT infrastructure had since been upgraded.

"Obviously we learnt a harsh lesson and we've spent a lot of time since then talking with key partners and some of the best providers in the industry about restructuring to make sure this is sustainable, " he said.

The page load times from last year in aggregate for the worst performing sites and the best performing sites. Photo: MelbourneIT

Despite the early and significant technical problems, retailers who participated in the first Click Frenzy event registered record online sales. Mr Arnott said total sales from the event were "well over $10 million". The Click Frenzy site had 1.6 million unique visitors and 22 million page views between 10pm – when the site finally went live – and 7pm the following day. According to analytics firm Quantium, average sales were up 250 per cent during the 24-hour period.

The April 23 sale is the first of a series of online sales Mr Arnott has planned for 2013.

The error rates from last year (failed to load percentages) for the 10 worst sites, the aggregate of all 153 measured, and the 10 best sites. Photo: MelbourneIT

It will hold an End-of-Financial-Year sale on June 25, a Father's Day Frenzy on August 13, and it's major Click Frenzy event on November 19. This will be followed by a week-long eCarnivale with independent Toy, Show, Fashion, Home, Entertainment and Healthy & Beauty 'Frenzies'.

Mr Arnott has not yet revealed the names of participating retailers but said they included many of those who participated in the inaugural event, including big-name brands.

"We've had a lot of interest and quite a few retailers who have already signed up," he said. "The reality is that despite what the perceptions might be, within the retail industry it [Click Frenzy] was hailed as great success and the vast majority of our participating retailers had a fantastic result and are keen for more."

Each sale will begin at 7pm to to capitalise on the "couch commerce" peak when consumers are most likely to be shopping via iPads, laptops or mobiles while watching TV.